SIMPSONVILLE, Ky. -- Danny Stapff says he likes the spotlight.
Two days into the NCAA Division II National Championships and he and the Buccaneers find themselves in that predicament as Thursday's final day of stroke play draws close.
Barry shot 1-under 287 in Wednesday's second round to find a spot among the top eight with a day to play. The No. 1-ranked Buccaneers are tied for fifth with Georgia College & State at 577.Chico State has the lead at 10-under 566, and Central Oklahoma is three strokes behind in second.
The top eight teams following the conclusion of 54-hole stroke play at the Cardinal Club's 7,092-yard course advance to match play Friday when teams will lock horns in head-to-head matchups.
Stapff is within two strokes of the lead after following up Tuesday's opening-round 69 with a 4-under 68 in the second round. He ripped off five birdies, including the first two holes, to kickstart a round that has him in a position he's been in before.
At the top.
Stapff's 7-under 137 trails leader Josh Creel of Central Oklahoma by two strokes for the individual lead. Chico State's Eric Frazzetta is at 8-under 136, and Colorado School of Mines' Jim Knous is tied with Stapff. Indiana-Pennsylvania's Zack Kempa is at 6-under, and Nova Southeastern's Ben Taylor 5-under.
Barry's Marcus Segerstrom packaged two birdies around a pair of bogeys to shoot even-par Wednesday. He is 1-over for the tournament. Marcelo Huarte had a pair of birdies to notch a 1-over 73.
Simon Forsslund shot 74, and Scott Smyers 75 in a round he birdied three holes.
The talk for Barry will be on positioning itself for match play, which is where the Bucs need to be to compete for the national title this quintet and coach Jimmy Stobs is seeking.
If the Bucs find themselves in that position, it becomes a new tournament, where they'll have to be at their best while just sizing up the opponent.
